Like with most things in my life, I'm slow but I get there...
N.L. EAST
1.) Philadelphia Phillies-- I read a prediction in which columnist Scott Miller (cbssports.com) wrote "Can a killer rotation including Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee,Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt overcome a lineup that appears to have aged more quickly than tired Rocky jokes?" Mr Miller is actually my favorite online baseball columnist, but I disagree with him on this. I think that the lineup that still includes 1ST Ryan Howard, SS Jimmy Rollins, CF Shane Victorino and after his DL stay 2ND Chase Utley is still very formidable. And the rotation is the best in baseball and the best since the '90s Braves.
2. Atlanta Braves-- This is a team that will be very dominant starting next season. I think they will be in contention this season, and they may win the wildcard this season. But the Phillies are just too good and the Braves are still a little too young. I don't normally like to predict Rookies of the Year but that is how good I think 1ST Freddie Freeman will be.
3.) Washington Nationals-- 1ST Adam LaRoche, RF Jason Werth, CF Rick Ankiel and 3RD Ryan Zimmerman are better than what the Marlins and Mets have. The young pitching staff will only get better.
4.) Florida Marlins-- SS Hanley Ramirez and a decent rotation are the only interesting things about this team. How are they going to get fans to come to the new stadium next year?
5.) New York Mets-- The best thing for baseball and New Yorkers would be for the Wilpons to sell this team. This is the biggest mess in all of sports right now.
NL CENTRAL
1.) Milwaukee Brewers-- Was it Elvis who sang, "It's now or never?" It's pretty much guaranteed that big 1ST Prince Fielder will leave as a free agent after this season. This season the Brewers offense is pretty good. Once ace P Zack Greinke comes off the disabled list for being silly enough to play a 3 on 3 basketball game and getting hurt; this rotation could be the second best in the NL.
2.) Cincinnati Reds-- 1ST Joey Votto is THE man right now. I apologize to Mr Pujols and his fans but I personally think Mr Votto is on his way to becoming the bet player in the game. The offense after him is good Votto makes it really good.
After P Homer Bailey comes of the DL the Reds will have one of the best starting rotations.
3.) St Louis Cardinals-- A good but aging team. They will contend but I just don't see much more than that.
4.) Chicago Cubs-- A team that had so much potential 3-4 years ago but never reached it. I don't really see improvements. New 1ST Carlos Pena is probably a defensive improvement but he is not the offensive threat he once was. The starting pitching is good but it's not enough to contend. The Rickett family needs to fire GM Jim Hendry and start all over again. At this point its looking like another 100 years before they win the World Series.
5.) Pittsburgh Pirates-- There is a little bit of young talent. And if 1ST Lyle Overbay can have a decent season he may provide needed veteran leadership.
6.)Houston Astros-- I don't see a lot of talent on this team. I don't think this organization planned for life after the Killer B's (Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio). I believe I heard that owner Drayton McLane is trying to sell the team and that may be for the best.
NL WEST
1.) Colorado Rockies-- I don't see real bad weaknesses. Good offense with 1ST Todd Helton, SS Troy Tulowitzki, RF Carlos Gonzalez and CF Dexter Fowler. Good defense. Decent pitching. Rockies might run away with the division.
2.) I have seen them play a couple of times this spring. I like the young talent. 2ND Orlando Hudson is a good veteran to add to this team. I don't know a lot about their pitching but I have heard some positives about them. If the pitching is decent or better the Padres will contend.
3.)San Francisco Giants-- This one hurts. Last year I thought they would finish last. I still don't like their offense. But their pitching is awesome. If the Phillies hadn't gotten Cliff Lee back I would say SF has the best pitching in the NL..
4.) Los Angeles Dodgers-- This one hurts even worse. I have been a Dodger fan since Rick Monday was traded from the Cubs to the Dodgers in 1976. This team is in bad shape. From the owners messy divorce to the young core players (1ST James Loney, CF Matt Kemp, RF Andre Ethier) not living up to expectations and a closer (Jonathan Broxton) who sees to be losing his stuff; this team is a mess. The starting rotation is really good but it won't be enough. Please sell the team Mr McCourt. I feel bad for first time Manager Don Mattingly.
5.) Arizona Diamondbacks-- Basically a young rebuilding team. I hope Kirk Gibson gets plenty of time to prove he can Manage a team.
NL WILDCARD: Cincinnati Reds
NL CHAMPIONS: Philadelphia Phillies
WORLD SERIES: Boston vs. Philadelphia
MLB CHAMPIONS: Boston RED SOX
I will brave enough to review how I did in the fall.
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